Yet another car delay...

We've had a lovely time here in Iowa with my oldest sister Deana & her family.  It's been 9 years since we've been here to visit, 5 years since we've seen them all together (at our wedding) & 4 years since Deana last came to Michigan.  It blows me away how much our niece & nephews have grown & changed & it is always inspirational to see Deana & Josh as parents because they are so patient & kind & value their children's opinions & ideas.  It is a beautiful thing.  Ate much delicious food, sampled a few beers ranging from anywhere from Michigan to Iowa to Colorado (all familiar places to our family), finally broke open & shared the Colombian Rum I had been saving for them since my trip to Colombia 4 years ago, danced & rocked out on the Wii, played some new thought-provoking board/card games, watched Jocoa's 1st ever track meet, Keith & the kids played some bball, planned & prepared for our trip through Colorado, ate many Jelly Belly jelly beans, got to see where the kids go to school & picked up any remaining backpacking supplies from the cool outdoor store where Deana works in Iowa City.  We very much hope to have less of a gap in between any future visits...

Josh, Jocoa, Coltrae, Maya & Deana

Rat-a-tat-Cat

Sierra soaking up the sun & some lovin' from Keith

We had plans to head out early this morning toward Colorado...BUT when we went to start our car yesterday evening, it wouldn't start!  We tried every trick we'd previously used with past issues but had no luck so we got it towed into Iowa City this morning.  The guy was eventually able to get it started enough for us to fix the rest ourselves at a MUCH cheaper price - fuel filter, spark plugs & wires, so Keith's working on that right now.  I think he might go crazy if one more thing in that car breaks on this trip...

We'll spend one more night here & then we'll head out tomorrow morning to drive as far as we can get into Colorado - first official destination:  Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park!  If we have time, I'd like to check out Boulder & revisit some familiar territory in Longmont.  Then, we'll head down to the Telluride/Ouray/Durango area...all of which is new territory that we are VERY excited about...Colorado is calling our name!!!